Ebrahim Raisi: Iran Declares Five Days of Mourning Following President’s Death in Helicopter Crash

Iran declared five days of mourning following the deaths of President Ebrahim Raisi and other officials in a helicopter crash over the weekend.

A funeral procession has been taking place in the city of Tabriz on May 21, which is near where the crash occurred in north-western Iran, carrying the caskets of the late President Ebrahim Raisi and others who died in the helicopter crash.

Thousands of pro-revolutionary Iranians have been gathering in the streets of Tabriz.

However, despite the huge crowds, not all Iranians supported the president – and many have celebrated his death on social media.

The bodies are next being taken to the religious city of Qom following the ceremony in Tabriz.

Another procession is planned to begin at 16:30 local time, crossing two holy sites in the city – Jamkaran Mosque and Fatima Masoumeh Shrine.

In the next couple of days, the coffins will pass through Iran’s capital Tehranand Raisi’s hometown of Masshad.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

An investigation to find out the cause of the helicopter crash is under way, as chief of staff of Iran’s Armed Forces has ordered a “high-ranking committee” to launch it.

Iran’s government has declared May 22 as a public holiday and a large funeral is expected to be held in Tehran. An enormous crowd is expected to attend and supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei will lead a prayer.

On May 23, Raisi will be buried during a ceremony in Masshad

May 24 marks the final day of the official five days of mourning.

Looking ahead, elections have been set to take place in Iran on June 28 to choose a new president.